Fuel saver device



NOV 4, 1947. P. c. soiRENsoN 2,430,308

FUEL SAVER DEVICE Filed Jan. 4, 1946 11% EL y knew Pfc 55407105507@ Patented Nov. 4, 1947 YLJNI'I'ED STATES PATENT GFFICE FUELSAVER DEVICE P'erc C. Sorenson, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignor'to Vandlla Sorenson, Wauwatosa, Wis.

.Application January 4, 194.6, ySerial No. 639,115

Claims. 1

The present invention relates toa fuel saver device, and more particularly to ,a device effimproved construction and operating characteristics to be used in conjunction with the manifold of an internal `combustion `engine to- .provide an auxiliary air supply during certain operating periods` y It is well recognized that under certain operating conditions and-speeds an internalcomb-ustion engine requires a rich fuel mixture, Whereas under other conditions and speeds a lean fuel mixture is desirable. AThe vcarburetor' is designed for oper-ation under average conditions and for the acceleration period `additional fuel is generally provided by an injector pump. The adjustments provided for 'mixture of air and liquid fuel, however, on the carburetor are preferably maintained at afminim'uni so as to facilitate servvice and adjustment by the average mechanic. Any carburetor 'which employs complex valves and devices requiring adjustment, introduces variables which are not readily understood 'by the average mechanic, and hence 'may contribute toward improper operation rather than toward efficient operation as intended.r

Generally a richer fuel mixture is required at low speeds, whereas a leaner fuel mixture is desirable at the higher speeds or 'while shifting from one speed to another.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved automatic operating device is provided which may be used in conjunction with the conventional carburetor and fuel manifold of an internal combustion engine, and which operates to reduce the richness of Vthe fuel mixture at various desired times such `as during higher speeds and during the time when the gears of the automobile are being shifted vfrom one speed to another. The device is adapted to be inserted between the carburetor and the engine `manifold `for supplying to the manifold an additional supply of air during the 'time that the vacuum `in the manifold drops below a predetermined value. The device furthermore is arranged so as to create in the manifoldga turbulence so as to improve the mixture of lair and fuel. Such whirling `.action or turbulence if created precludes the possibility of any large particles of raw liquid fuel being supplied to the cylinders of the 'internal combustion engine.

It is an object Vof the present invention to :provide a fuel saving device of the foregoing type of improved construction and improved operating characteristics.

It isa further object of the 'present invention v.2 to provide an improved fuel saving device of more rugged and .durable construction and having yan automatically operating valve structure of improved structure vand operating characteristics.

Other and further objects of the present invention Asubsequently will become apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein Figure l isa .perspective View of the invention as installed between the carburetor and the mani- Jfold of an internal combustion engine;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional View of the installed invention as seen inthe direction of the arrows along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

"Figure 3 is a plan view of the device as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line '3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross Vsectional View of the valve structure as seen in the direction of the arrows, along the line 4-4 of Figure 1; n

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the inner half of the valve structure body;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the movable valve member which is vmounted. on the part shown in Figure 5; and

Figure '7 is a detail section, on the line l-l of Fig. 4, showing .the manner of securing the valve member in position.

In the drawing there .is shown a portion of a `carburetor l2li connected to a portion of the manifold 22 of an internal combustion engine by means of cap screws 24. The upper portion of .the carburetor `2li and the lower portion of the manifold 22 are provided with suitable flanges through which the fastening cap screws 2li pass. lnterposedbetween the 'flanges "2'6 and 28 of the carburetor and the manifold respectively is a 4fuel saving device 30 constructed in accordance with .the present invention.

The portion of the fuel saver 30 which is interposed between the flanges '2S and 28 is a threelayer metal gasket structure 32 presently to be described. Immediately above and below the Igasket portion 32 .of the device there are Aposiltioned ibrous sealing gaskets 311 and 356 for sealing the gasket `32 between .the carburetor and the manifold in a 'iiuid tight connection. The gasket ,portion 3'2 is formed more specically of three layers .318., '60, and 42, the upper and 'lower layers 438 and 4'2 having the conguration seen in Figure 3'; and one of the layers,l for example the layer 2, having lits peripheral edge '43 bent up and over the layer 38 to hold the .gasket structure together. The intermediate 'layer 4B is cui; away as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3 to form a passagek 44 which extends from the gasket leg portion 46 to a connected generally circular passage 48 along the inner rim 5%0 of the gasket. At a plurality of spaced points about the central opening 5B the upper and lower laminations 38 and 42 are pinched together as at 52 forming a plurality of air openings 54 from the passage 48, the purpose of which subsequently will become apparent.

The leg portion 46 of the gasket 36 is shown with greater particularity in Figure 4. From this it will be seen that the extremities of gasket plates are cut so that the extremity of the leg portion 46 terminates in a dovetailed portion 56 which is secured by cement 58 within a steppped slot Bil in one body portion 62 of a valve structure. The valve structure includes a complementary or cooperating body portion 64. The complementary portion 64 has a plurality of inlet openings 66 which extend to an internal recess 68 having at an intermediate point a stop member 16. The stop member 'I0 limits at one position a movable valve member 12 shown in detail in the perspective view of Figure 6.

The valve member 'l2 has an elongated rectangular reed-like portion 14 which is connected at one end by a series of reversely bent portions 16, 'H and 'I8 to a supporting portion 80. The supporting portion 80 has a dovetailed coniiguration so that it may be retained in position by a suitable cement in a recess 8'2 formed in the valve housing 62. The recess 82 extends from a larger recess 84 to accommodate the bent valve portions '16, Il and 18. The housing portion 62 contains an outlet opening 86 which is in communication with the internal passage 44 of the gasket part 30.

The movable valve member l2 preferably is formed of metal with the elongated rectangular portion 'i4 adapted, when the valve is in closed position, to lie ilat on the surface of the valve body member 62 to close the outlet port 85, as is indicated by the solid lines in Figure 4. This position is obtained when the vacuum in the manifold is above a predetermined value as is the case at low operating speeds or when the motor is under heavy load. During those times when the motor is not under asV great load or is operating at the higher speed the member 14 assumes the dotted line position shown in Figure 4, the valve moving 'outwardly against the stop 10 due to its own resiliency, overcoming the Ipull of the intake vacuum. The member 'I4 and the bent portion 18 retain their general congurations in either position of the valve member.

'Ihe configuration of the valve member is such that in its movements between open and closed positions it flexes principally within the straight portion 'il and also partially within the Straight portions 16 and 18, rather than at the angular points of .juncture between such portions. The oating fulcrum thus provided materially increases the life oi the valve member, reduces friction to movement, and renders the valve member sensitive and quickly responsive in operation. Additionally it facilitates the accurate seating of the valve member portion 'I4 in position to effect the closing of the passage 86 in a duid-tight manner. The sensitivity and accuracy of operation thus provided enables the valve to be opened and closed at the precise critical vacuum conditions desired. The valve configuration also insures the proper opening or closing of the valve, after valve movement has begun, thus minimizing uttering and undesired operating characteristics.

In operation the reed portion 14 may move a great many times and it must have a high rate of response so as to bring about eiicient operation in accordance with the changing conditions of the load on the motor.

During the time that air enters the inlet ports 66 and iiows through the port 86 into the passages 44 and 48, air is discharged through the various ports 54 in the gasket member 30 in a generally tangential direction into the main air and fuel stream from the carburetor, so as to supply additional air for economy of operation and also so as to bring about a condition of turbulence immediately above the joint between the carburetor 20 and the manifold 22. This turbulence created by the discharge of air tangentially from the openings 54 `thoroughly mixes the air with the vapor drawn from the carburetor and further insures complete atomization of any small liquid fuel particles which may have been drawn upwardly.

All the components of the device are formed of materials capable of withstanding the temperature variations encountered. The multi-layer gasket portion 3l! is formed of a plurality of metal sheets having a coniiguration as shown in Figure 3, and the outer periphery of the gasket portion is sealed as previously described. The gasket portion 30 securely supports the valve body 62-64 by virtue of the cement 58 and the dovetailed connection 56 which forms a strong support structure. The valve member 12 is also firmly and strongly supported within the valve body recess 82, by the dovetailed support connection provided. The two valve body portions 62 and 64 are retained together in any suitable manner which provides a proper seal between the two portions. In one form it has been found highly satisfactory to make the two valve body portions 62 and 64 of ceramic, and the two body portions are retained in cooperative relation by suitable ceramic cement. The body portion of course may be made of other materials, but the ceramic material is readily formed and offers an economic advantage over certain other materials which require further iinishing or machining. .When the device is supplying air to the manifold, a turbulence is created as is illustrated by the arrowed lines in Figure 1. When the valve is closed so as to prevent admission of air, no turbulence is created and the vapor is drawn upwardly as indicated by the arrowed lines of Figure 2. The operation is entirely automatic and no adjustment means is required.

While for the purpose of illustrating and describing the present invention a. preferred embodiment has been shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that such variations in the instrumentalities employed and in their arrangement are contemplated as may be commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.

This invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A device for cooperation with an internal combustion engine having a carburetor and a manifold comprising a valve body having inlet and outlet ports, said valve body adjacent one end being provided with an internal recess, an elongated thin flat movable valve member supported adjacent one end by a relatively straight and flexible portion mounted in said recess, said valve member normally being positioned at open port position and being adapted in response to pressure change in said manifold to move to closed port position, a gasket structure adapted to be mounted between said carburetor and said manifold, said structure having a projecting portion for supporting said valve body and having a central opening and an air passage interconnecting the outlet port of said body with said central opening, said central opening being arranged to discharge air from a plurality of ports in directions generally tangential to the inner margin of the gasket thereby to create a turbulence in the manifold.

2. A device for cooperation with the fuel intake system of an internal combustion engine comprising a valve body having air inlet and outlet ports, a reed-like movable valve member supported adjacent one end thereof by a relatively straight and flexible portion secured to said valve body, said valve member extending longitudinally within said valve body to open and close said ports, a laminated flange secured to said valve body having outer sections and an intermediate section superimposed one upon the other, said flange having a central opening and a configuration for interposing the ilange into the fuel system intake of the internal combustion engine, said flange sections forming an internal channel within the flange communicating with the outlet port of said valve body and with the fuel intake passage of the fuel system of said internal combustion engine, and a plurality of abutments formed adjacent the central opening to form a plurality of air discharge ports so that when air f is drawn through said valve body outlet port and the channel communicating with said fuel intake passageway of said internal combustion engine, the air discharged therein is given a whirling movement.

3. A device for cooperation with the fuel intake system of an internal combustion engine comprising a valve body having air inlet and outlet ports, a reed-like member seated within said valve body adjacent one end thereof, said reedlike body extending longitudinally within said valve body, said reed-like member being provided adjacent one end with a flexible fulcrum portion and an acute angled tongue secured to said valve body, a laminated flange secured to said valve body having outer sections and an intermediate section superimposed one upon the other, said laminated flange being adapted to be interposed in the fuel system of an internal combustion engine, said flange sections forming an internal air passageway communicating with the outlet port of said valve body and the fuel intake passageway of the fuel system of said internal combustion engine whereby the vacuum created in said fuel intake system by said engine at certain speeds will flex said flexible fulcrum and cause said reed-like member to close said outlet port.

4. A device for cooperation with an internal combustion engine having a carburetor and a manifold comprising a valve body having air inlet and outlet ports, a movable reed valve membez` seated within said valve body adjacent one end thereof, said reed extending longitudinally within said valve body and being supported by a flexible fulcrum portion, a laminated flange having an acute angled tongue portion secured to said valve body, said laminated flange having outer sections and an intermediate section superimposed one upon the other, said laminated flange being adapted to be inserted into the fuel system of said internal combustion engine between said carburetor and said manifold, said flangel sections forming an internal air passageway communicating with the outletl port of said valve body and the fuel intake passageway of said engine whereby at certain engine speeds air will be drawn through said valve body and passageway into the fuel intake passageway and at certain other engine speeds the vacuum of said fuel intake passageway will flex said flexible fulcrum to cause said reed to close the outlet port of said valve body.

5. A device for cooperation with the fuel intake system of an internal combustion engine comprising a valve body having air inlet and outlet ports, said body having a recess therein, a reed-like member extending longitudinally within said valve for limited movement to open and close said ports, said reed-like member being supported by a flexible fulcrum mounted in said recess, said body having an external recess ady jacent the outlet port, a laminated flange having an acute angled tongue portion secured to said valve body in said recess, said flange having outer sections and an intermediate section superimposed one upon the other and arranged for interposition into the fuel intake system of said internal combustion engine, said flange sections forming an internal channel communicating with the outlet port of said valve body and a central opening in said sections, a plurality of abutments formed in said central opening to coact with the internal channel to form a plurality of discharge ports into the engine intake system whereby at certain engine speeds air is drawn through said valve body and said communicating channel so as to be discharged through said ports to impart a whirling movement thereto to create a turbulence within said fuel intake system.

PERC C. SORENSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,238,565 Morton Apr. 15, 1941 2,044,342 Abbott June 16, 1936 2,060,972 Bonem et al Nov. 17, 1936 1,894,847 Bergman Jan. 17, 1933 

